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What is a Strawberry Allergy?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
A strawberry allergy is an allergy to certain proteins found in strawberries. When people with an allergy are exposed to these proteins, they develop numbness and tingling in their mouths, along with other symptoms such as burning lips, intestinal distress, and congestion. In some cases, the bronchial tubes may swell and close, causing breathing difficulties and severe health problems. Many people who are allergic to strawberries also experience contact dermatitis when they touch strawberries or products with strawberry ingredients, which can cause the skin to turn red, puffy, and itchy.
Being allergic to strawberries is fairly common. Most people notice that they have a strawberry allergy because they experience the symptoms after eating or handling strawberries, and the allergy can be confirmed with allergy testing. The only way to manage an allergy of this type is to avoid eating strawberries and products with strawberry flavoring. This allergy does not extend to other fruits and berries, as it involves a protein unique to strawberries.
Strawberries can turn up in surprising places. Their leaves are sometimes used in herbal teas and certain cosmetics, for example, and strawberry flavoring is used in medications and skin care products. Shampoo and conditioner may have strawberry extract, as can air fresheners and laundry detergent. Avoiding strawberry products can get tricky, but strawberries are usually disclosed on the labeling, as they are an expensive ingredient. People with strawberry allergies are safe around artificial strawberry flavoring, as this product lacks the proteins found in real strawberries.
Studies on strawberries and the blood of people with allergies to these tasty little berries seem to suggest that the protein is similar to that which causes a birch pollen allergy. Someone with a birch pollen allergy can develop a strawberry allergy over time. The red color also appears to play a role, as white strawberry cultivars do not cause allergic reactions. White strawberries are also less flavorful, and researchers are working on making them tastier so that people with these allergies can enjoy these fruits.
In most patients, a strawberry allergy is not life threatening. It can be uncomfortable and irritating, especially when things like strawberry pie are served at parties and the patient must explain that he or she cannot eat the dessert. People with strawberry allergies should try to avoid the berries, however, as a more severe allergic reaction can develop at any time. They should make sure to inform hosts of dinner parties and restaurant staff about their allergy, to confirm that they will not be exposed to strawberry proteins during meals away from home.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
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![Strawberries.]()
By: Anna KucherovaStrawberries. -
![Skin may become red, puffy, and itchy when in contact with a strawberry.]()
By: darkhrissSkin may become red, puffy, and itchy when in contact with a strawberry. -
![Strawberry coulis pooled around a dessert.]()
By: M.studioStrawberry coulis pooled around a dessert. -
![Tests have revealed people with a strawberry allergy have a blood protein similar to that which causes a birch pollen allergy.]()
By: luchshenTests have revealed people with a strawberry allergy have a blood protein similar to that which causes a birch pollen allergy. -
![Strawberries can turn up in surprising places.]()
By: jillchenStrawberries can turn up in surprising places.
Discussion Comments
I developed a severe allergy to strawberries while eating some 10 years ago. Now even only the scent of strawberry jam or freshly cut strawberries makes me wan to puke. I can't stand it from less then ten feet. Last time I had a reaction to it, I needed to go to the hospital when a tiny drop of strawberry smoothie had fallen in my frozen chai latté at McDonald's.
I just realized I have an allergy to strawberries. In strawberry season 2016, I had awful itching of he eyelids they were red and swollen. I saw a doctor at that time. Allergy wasn't discussed at that time. My lids healed and peeled off like sunburn.
Strawberry season again and I was eating them most every day and itching all over, especially eyelids. Same thing again this year. I didn't go to the doctor. I'm using cortisone lightly, have quit eating the berries and my eyelids are healing and peeling again. Haven't eaten or been itchy in four days. I am sure now it was caused by strawberries.
These reactions you mention are strange. I have been allergic to strawberries all my life. I have tried to eat them in my early twenties (three small wild) and still could not. My reaction is: three days delayed reaction, then starting with itchy face and numbness, a small welt or welts progressing to severe swelling and bleeding eczema that spreads. Last time I ate them (those three small), I needed topical cortisone for a full year. Now, that's a reason to avoid them for life and not even take a chance at trying them, cooked, dried, or whatever.
I am finding that I am very allergic to only fresh strawberries, dehydrated strawberries (like in cereals), and frozen strawberries. Once they have been cooked for a lengthy amount of time, I can eat as much as I want -- like strawberry jam.
Just recently, I made cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries for Thanksgiving, since I didn't want to use canned cranberries like I normally do. I got a horrible allergic reaction just like when I do when I eat strawberries. I had numbness in my lips, cheeks, neck, and my tongue swells making it difficult to swallow. So, no fresh cranberries for me either!
My mum had a very bad reaction to eating a strawberry when she was six. She started bleeding from the mouth so much that she was rushed into hospital and given two blood transfusions.
She hasn't touched them since, but the interesting thing is, I have never had a problem. I can eat strawberries until I'm sick (but that's just me over indulging).
I had a skin prick test and found out that was allergic to strawberries but I always had eating them and nothing happened. I'm 25 and a year ago i drank a strawberry smoothie and got an allergic reaction. Since then I can't eat them fresh, frozen nothing that has strawberry. Can't even kiss my boyfriend if he has eaten them. Every time I eat them the allergic reaction gets worse, so it's best to avoid them at all.
i eat some raw strawberries yesterday. after getting up this morning, i felt that itch. also my lips have a big bubble. please give me the medicine name for this. my age is 24.
I was allergic to strawberries when I was a child- I threw up once after eating them when I was young, and since my mom had the same allergy when she was young, that was that. I, too, could eat strawberries if they had been frozen or cooked.
The odd thing with my allergy, though, is that I grew out of it. My mom always told me that when she was around 12-13, she tried strawberries again and had no problems. So when I turned 12, I tried a few strawberries just to see.. and lo and behold, I'm no longer allergic! I can eat a bunch at a time with absolutely no issues. I've always thought it was weird to not only have this allergy [I've never met anyone else with it], but to grow out of it.
Anon60545, have you tried eating cooked strawberries, such as strawberry jam? I also liked strawberry ice cream as a kid. Plain, frozen strawberries always disappointed me, though. I'm not surprised that the daiquiri was made with fresh berries. I suppose to someone without the allergy that would be a good thing because it's a sign of quality!
My daughter has enjoyed strawberries for a while and only just recently showed a capillary / bruised type reaction under her mouth after eating a strawberry. Can she be allergic to only some types of strawberry since she has not reacted before?
can someone that is allergic to strawberries have a reaction when inhaled? Even if it is artificial flavoring?
I have an allergy to strawberries. I was wondering since I didn't see it mentioned here is I heard I could eat them only after they have been frozen. I have never had a reaction to eating say, strawberry shortcake if the strawberries have been frozen and I have eaten a lot even a couple times a day for a few days with no reaction.
That being said, I drank some of the wine cooler type strawberry daiquiri and had a reaction to it. I never would have guessed they wouldn't use frozen strawberries to make their product but that may have been the case or maybe it is just a huge concentration.
Does anyone have more information on freezing the strawberries in order to alter the protein and stop the allergic reaction?
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